The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
Finally, the whole world is graced with all three next-gen consoles battling it out for the top spot. So where do they all stand? Well, Sony still leads the pack, mainly due to having a few years head start as well as being the ‘casual gamers’ choice. Microsoft, on the other hand, are finding the going a bit tough as they try to shake off their ‘geeky’ image (that’s how the public see’s it, Sonicrav, not I) and assure the gaming public that the X-box has a secure future. And then we have Nintendo, placed roughly in between the aforementioned competitors.
Nobody can rightfully say the Nintendo 64 was a ‘flop’. Sure, it didn’t perform as well as their previous console and lost them the top stop amongst console developers, but it still sold blummin’ well globally and was supported by plenty of original, entertaining titles that we’ve come to expect from Nintendo.
And now, with the Gamecube as their new gaming baby, how are the big-N performing? Well, in my opinion, they’ve taken all their steps in the right direction. The point of this article is to show the uninformed what Nintendo did wrong with the N64 and how that’s all gonna change with Gamecube. Hey, it’s not very original, but at least it’ll waste a bit of our Summer spare time!
Choosing cartridges again instead of optical discs was a fatal mistake by Nintendo, with the N64. As we all know, cartridges (or carts for short) are expensive to manufacture, hold a lot less data than optical discs (forcing developers to compress audio and video files, reducing quality to a noticeable extent) and therefore deter developers/publishers from making games for it (it’s a huge financial risk).
The Gamecube, however, utilises mini-DVD’s, capable of holding over twice as much data as a CD. This is what developers wanted. This is what publishers wanted. This is how gamers will benefit. Just by using these discs over carts, Nintendo have assured themselves more third-party support, meaning a more regular, consistent flow of games onto the shelves, which is something the N64 never had on it’s side.
Another technical disadvantage of the N64 was how developer-unfriendly it was (according to developers anyway). Of course, you might be wondering how the PS2 is managing to be so successful if it’s such a pig to program for. Well, developers know that the PS2 is the most popular console on the planet; over 25 million people own one. They know their game is almost certain to make them some profit, no matter how good it is. Back in the days of the N64, what’s the point of spending valuable resources on making a half-decent game for the N64, when the developer can release it on the PSone, spend less money making it and almost certainly make more money in the long-run?
On Gamecube, not only has the fact that it’s apparently user-friendly been widely publicised (the top-quality Luigi’s Mansion was developed in under a year), the console is also selling at a fast and consistent rate. Publishers like this. A lot.
As we all know, the one big thing that killed the N64 was the lack of games that were released. Not the lack of quality games, as Nintendo released plenty of those. The lack of games, fullstop. To be fair, the Playstation was home to the worst games going. Despite this, a console with a large range of games to choose from is always going to be a more attractive buy than one that doesn’t even cater for some genres at all.
More and more third-party developers are jumping on the Gamecube bandwagon with each passing day, as they realise the potential of the machine. This point has been signified to the public right from the word go – the largest software line-up at launch EVER. And with franchises such as Resident Evil on the console and popular games series going multi-format (e.g. Turok, Ridge Racer) all the time, the range of Gamecube titles is set to expand at an even greater rate. The most important factor is the games, and Gamecube has absolutely no worries in this department!
Of course, gamers who chose the PSone over the N64 aren’t likely to go running back to Nintendo at the first mention of ‘Gamecube’, oh no. A new console with loads going for it (like the N64) needs loads of advertising so that people know about it (unlike the N64).
Sony brain-washed the gaming public a few years ago, with every other advert seeming to be about the Playstation, and it worked. This time around, it seems as though Sony have employed new staff in the marketing department, as few are impressed with this ‘Third Place’ business. Sony have created a weakness for themselves, and Nintendo intends to exploit this weakness to the max. €100 billion were set aside for launch marketing in Europe alone and it certainly seems to have worked. The money certainly hasn’t been wasted; Gamecube adverts get straight to the point – the games, and that’s all the gamer should be interested in.
So, a good start for Nintendo, definitely, but I’m not going to get too carried away just yet. After all, at this stage in the N64’s life, I would’ve probably been jumping for joy, having just completed Super Mario 64.
A console launch is always hard for the manufacturer, but the time that comes after is even harder – the fight for survival. Watch this space.
Uncle Albert
Nobody can rightfully say the Nintendo 64 was a ‘flop’. Sure, it didn’t perform as well as their previous console and lost them the top stop amongst console developers, but it still sold blummin’ well globally and was supported by plenty of original, entertaining titles that we’ve come to expect from Nintendo.
And now, with the Gamecube as their new gaming baby, how are the big-N performing? Well, in my opinion, they’ve taken all their steps in the right direction. The point of this article is to show the uninformed what Nintendo did wrong with the N64 and how that’s all gonna change with Gamecube. Hey, it’s not very original, but at least it’ll waste a bit of our Summer spare time!
Choosing cartridges again instead of optical discs was a fatal mistake by Nintendo, with the N64. As we all know, cartridges (or carts for short) are expensive to manufacture, hold a lot less data than optical discs (forcing developers to compress audio and video files, reducing quality to a noticeable extent) and therefore deter developers/publishers from making games for it (it’s a huge financial risk).
The Gamecube, however, utilises mini-DVD’s, capable of holding over twice as much data as a CD. This is what developers wanted. This is what publishers wanted. This is how gamers will benefit. Just by using these discs over carts, Nintendo have assured themselves more third-party support, meaning a more regular, consistent flow of games onto the shelves, which is something the N64 never had on it’s side.
Another technical disadvantage of the N64 was how developer-unfriendly it was (according to developers anyway). Of course, you might be wondering how the PS2 is managing to be so successful if it’s such a pig to program for. Well, developers know that the PS2 is the most popular console on the planet; over 25 million people own one. They know their game is almost certain to make them some profit, no matter how good it is. Back in the days of the N64, what’s the point of spending valuable resources on making a half-decent game for the N64, when the developer can release it on the PSone, spend less money making it and almost certainly make more money in the long-run?
On Gamecube, not only has the fact that it’s apparently user-friendly been widely publicised (the top-quality Luigi’s Mansion was developed in under a year), the console is also selling at a fast and consistent rate. Publishers like this. A lot.
As we all know, the one big thing that killed the N64 was the lack of games that were released. Not the lack of quality games, as Nintendo released plenty of those. The lack of games, fullstop. To be fair, the Playstation was home to the worst games going. Despite this, a console with a large range of games to choose from is always going to be a more attractive buy than one that doesn’t even cater for some genres at all.
More and more third-party developers are jumping on the Gamecube bandwagon with each passing day, as they realise the potential of the machine. This point has been signified to the public right from the word go – the largest software line-up at launch EVER. And with franchises such as Resident Evil on the console and popular games series going multi-format (e.g. Turok, Ridge Racer) all the time, the range of Gamecube titles is set to expand at an even greater rate. The most important factor is the games, and Gamecube has absolutely no worries in this department!
Of course, gamers who chose the PSone over the N64 aren’t likely to go running back to Nintendo at the first mention of ‘Gamecube’, oh no. A new console with loads going for it (like the N64) needs loads of advertising so that people know about it (unlike the N64).
Sony brain-washed the gaming public a few years ago, with every other advert seeming to be about the Playstation, and it worked. This time around, it seems as though Sony have employed new staff in the marketing department, as few are impressed with this ‘Third Place’ business. Sony have created a weakness for themselves, and Nintendo intends to exploit this weakness to the max. €100 billion were set aside for launch marketing in Europe alone and it certainly seems to have worked. The money certainly hasn’t been wasted; Gamecube adverts get straight to the point – the games, and that’s all the gamer should be interested in.
So, a good start for Nintendo, definitely, but I’m not going to get too carried away just yet. After all, at this stage in the N64’s life, I would’ve probably been jumping for joy, having just completed Super Mario 64.
A console launch is always hard for the manufacturer, but the time that comes after is even harder – the fight for survival. Watch this space.
Uncle Albert
Cheers, I didn't mean to come across like converting language and region (NTSC/PAL) was a huge issue, but I meant it like developers making a multiplatform game (assuming its on PS2, GC and Xbox) have 3 different versions going already designed to work on the different arcitecture, and then there's also the added inconveniance of regional differences. Although they're not really the biggest factors, it's just another thing on top...
Sibs, good post.
To correct one thing, the reason that most developers only make a game on one console is not because of the langauges and regions (this will be taken care of by the regional centre- eg Sony Europe). It is simply because the consoles are so difficult to port between. The architectures are completely different.
However, to add to what you said, big developers with big name games will tend to make their games on the biggest user base console- in this case the PS2. The reason being because it will sell to a fixed proportion of gamers whatever console it comes out on... so pick the one with the biggest user base. I'd guess that the actual demographics of the user base aren't as big an issue as people may think.
However, when a big developer does mae a game for a smaller console base, it will get more sales than usual because of the lack of competition. So, Nintendo will always get high sales on the GC and N64. Capcom have taken a really risky step to move over to the GC, but by doing it at this early stage, they may be able to actually persuade people to buy that console over others- if they advertise well!
Sonic
To correct one thing, the reason that most developers only make a game on one console is not because of the langauges and regions (this will be taken care of by the regional centre- eg Sony Europe). It is simply because the consoles are so difficult to port between. The architectures are completely different.
However, to add to what you said, big developers with big name games will tend to make their games on the biggest user base console- in this case the PS2. The reason being because it will sell to a fixed proportion of gamers whatever console it comes out on... so pick the one with the biggest user base. I'd guess that the actual demographics of the user base aren't as big an issue as people may think.
However, when a big developer does mae a game for a smaller console base, it will get more sales than usual because of the lack of competition. So, Nintendo will always get high sales on the GC and N64. Capcom have taken a really risky step to move over to the GC, but by doing it at this early stage, they may be able to actually persuade people to buy that console over others- if they advertise well!
Sonic
The thing all developers/publishers are interested in is sales. How well a game will sell. By releasing a game on all fromats you minimize risk, but the biggest problem with that is unless you spend a fair amount of time for each conversion (and don't forget, each conversion will then also have a PAL copy and a NTSC copy, meaning if you want a release over all consoles and all regions, that's 6 different versions at least, possibly more for the different languages) then you are bound by the constraints of EVERY console. You have to take into account the short comings of every console and can't exploit the good points of one that another has. This is pretty much the 'You are only as strong as the weakest link' thing, You can only develop a game that will run on the worst console for each department. But it means greater profits.
A fair few developers have decided upon making a game, series etc. for just one console. It gives the developers more flexibility to exploit the advantages of each console, and try to avoid any of its pitfalls. But it means less sales. Now with this logic of sales most developers would decide PS2 is best, it has the largest user base, but look at the other consoles first- What do they offer?
First, less competition. There are fewer games on them, so fewer games competing for the console owners cash. I mean, even if PS2 has a larger user base than GameCube or Xbox, if you release a game that everyone wants for that console (like Nintendo are bound to do with Mario Sunshine on the Cube) then almost everyone who owns that console will buy that game at some point. The other consoles also mean (probably...) quicker development, as it has been said, the PS2 isn't the most user friendly of things to develop for.
And finally, what Capcom seem to have realised with the GameCube. If a developer signs over a major franchise, game, etc. (like Resi Evil) they can help increase the user base. The insult most frequently levelled at the N64 was that of Nintendo being a kiddie company for the pre-teens, and didn't offer anything for anyone older than about 11 years old. By moving over a series like the Resi Series, as well as picking up some people who hadn't yet bought a Cube, Capcom may have even converted some avid Resi fans who bought PS2s to buy a Cube as well. This means a larger user base for future multi-format releases by Capcom and others. If the Resi Series was multi-format then it wouldn't have sold any consoles. People would simply get it on the console they have, and if they hadn't yet bought one, a multi-format game won't sway anyone in any direction, they can still buy it no matter what the format. But by making exclusive games that will help sell a console you can expand the user base, and hopefully pick up a following in multiple camps (the Resi series already has a following by Sony fans, now it may become stronger with Nintendo fans too) which ultimately should help increase a developers popularity, increase their sales, and in the future they'll have a larger user base to appeal to.
Thanks for reading, I know a lot of it may not seem to make sense, but it makes sense to me :D Hope you get what I mean...
A fair few developers have decided upon making a game, series etc. for just one console. It gives the developers more flexibility to exploit the advantages of each console, and try to avoid any of its pitfalls. But it means less sales. Now with this logic of sales most developers would decide PS2 is best, it has the largest user base, but look at the other consoles first- What do they offer?
First, less competition. There are fewer games on them, so fewer games competing for the console owners cash. I mean, even if PS2 has a larger user base than GameCube or Xbox, if you release a game that everyone wants for that console (like Nintendo are bound to do with Mario Sunshine on the Cube) then almost everyone who owns that console will buy that game at some point. The other consoles also mean (probably...) quicker development, as it has been said, the PS2 isn't the most user friendly of things to develop for.
And finally, what Capcom seem to have realised with the GameCube. If a developer signs over a major franchise, game, etc. (like Resi Evil) they can help increase the user base. The insult most frequently levelled at the N64 was that of Nintendo being a kiddie company for the pre-teens, and didn't offer anything for anyone older than about 11 years old. By moving over a series like the Resi Series, as well as picking up some people who hadn't yet bought a Cube, Capcom may have even converted some avid Resi fans who bought PS2s to buy a Cube as well. This means a larger user base for future multi-format releases by Capcom and others. If the Resi Series was multi-format then it wouldn't have sold any consoles. People would simply get it on the console they have, and if they hadn't yet bought one, a multi-format game won't sway anyone in any direction, they can still buy it no matter what the format. But by making exclusive games that will help sell a console you can expand the user base, and hopefully pick up a following in multiple camps (the Resi series already has a following by Sony fans, now it may become stronger with Nintendo fans too) which ultimately should help increase a developers popularity, increase their sales, and in the future they'll have a larger user base to appeal to.
Thanks for reading, I know a lot of it may not seem to make sense, but it makes sense to me :D Hope you get what I mean...
Wooo... I get a mention... hold on...
Anyway, all you say is true, but something has hit my attention. Let's face facts- the PS2 was probably the most rushed and underthought of all the consoles. Although development is fine now thanks to middleware and all the support, it wasn't as great at the start.
Yet the DC, GC and Xbox, which are all superbly thought out, are lagging behind. The fact is that the biggest developers will put their efforts into the biggest console, however hard it is to program- they'll reap the rewards in sales!
Sonic
Anyway, all you say is true, but something has hit my attention. Let's face facts- the PS2 was probably the most rushed and underthought of all the consoles. Although development is fine now thanks to middleware and all the support, it wasn't as great at the start.
Yet the DC, GC and Xbox, which are all superbly thought out, are lagging behind. The fact is that the biggest developers will put their efforts into the biggest console, however hard it is to program- they'll reap the rewards in sales!
Sonic
It is a wonder why Nintendo went for the catridge format on the N64 when they knew that discs were the wwy to the future. What were they aiming to acheive, the software line-up of 3 games isn't enough for demanding gamers.
For once, Europe got the better deal, because in Japan only got 3 games , again, for the launch line up but we got about 22. Also Nintendo can now stop putting games onto the market for a while because third party developers will give a few games a month so that gamers always have something new, and then from october to 2003 Q2 there'll be a flood of Nintendo games for the GameCube. Nice.
Nice post Albert. GAD contender
For once, Europe got the better deal, because in Japan only got 3 games , again, for the launch line up but we got about 22. Also Nintendo can now stop putting games onto the market for a while because third party developers will give a few games a month so that gamers always have something new, and then from october to 2003 Q2 there'll be a flood of Nintendo games for the GameCube. Nice.
Nice post Albert. GAD contender
Finally, the whole world is graced with all three next-gen consoles battling it out for the top spot. So where do they all stand? Well, Sony still leads the pack, mainly due to having a few years head start as well as being the ‘casual gamers’ choice. Microsoft, on the other hand, are finding the going a bit tough as they try to shake off their ‘geeky’ image (that’s how the public see’s it, Sonicrav, not I) and assure the gaming public that the X-box has a secure future. And then we have Nintendo, placed roughly in between the aforementioned competitors.
Nobody can rightfully say the Nintendo 64 was a ‘flop’. Sure, it didn’t perform as well as their previous console and lost them the top stop amongst console developers, but it still sold blummin’ well globally and was supported by plenty of original, entertaining titles that we’ve come to expect from Nintendo.
And now, with the Gamecube as their new gaming baby, how are the big-N performing? Well, in my opinion, they’ve taken all their steps in the right direction. The point of this article is to show the uninformed what Nintendo did wrong with the N64 and how that’s all gonna change with Gamecube. Hey, it’s not very original, but at least it’ll waste a bit of our Summer spare time!
Choosing cartridges again instead of optical discs was a fatal mistake by Nintendo, with the N64. As we all know, cartridges (or carts for short) are expensive to manufacture, hold a lot less data than optical discs (forcing developers to compress audio and video files, reducing quality to a noticeable extent) and therefore deter developers/publishers from making games for it (it’s a huge financial risk).
The Gamecube, however, utilises mini-DVD’s, capable of holding over twice as much data as a CD. This is what developers wanted. This is what publishers wanted. This is how gamers will benefit. Just by using these discs over carts, Nintendo have assured themselves more third-party support, meaning a more regular, consistent flow of games onto the shelves, which is something the N64 never had on it’s side.
Another technical disadvantage of the N64 was how developer-unfriendly it was (according to developers anyway). Of course, you might be wondering how the PS2 is managing to be so successful if it’s such a pig to program for. Well, developers know that the PS2 is the most popular console on the planet; over 25 million people own one. They know their game is almost certain to make them some profit, no matter how good it is. Back in the days of the N64, what’s the point of spending valuable resources on making a half-decent game for the N64, when the developer can release it on the PSone, spend less money making it and almost certainly make more money in the long-run?
On Gamecube, not only has the fact that it’s apparently user-friendly been widely publicised (the top-quality Luigi’s Mansion was developed in under a year), the console is also selling at a fast and consistent rate. Publishers like this. A lot.
As we all know, the one big thing that killed the N64 was the lack of games that were released. Not the lack of quality games, as Nintendo released plenty of those. The lack of games, fullstop. To be fair, the Playstation was home to the worst games going. Despite this, a console with a large range of games to choose from is always going to be a more attractive buy than one that doesn’t even cater for some genres at all.
More and more third-party developers are jumping on the Gamecube bandwagon with each passing day, as they realise the potential of the machine. This point has been signified to the public right from the word go – the largest software line-up at launch EVER. And with franchises such as Resident Evil on the console and popular games series going multi-format (e.g. Turok, Ridge Racer) all the time, the range of Gamecube titles is set to expand at an even greater rate. The most important factor is the games, and Gamecube has absolutely no worries in this department!
Of course, gamers who chose the PSone over the N64 aren’t likely to go running back to Nintendo at the first mention of ‘Gamecube’, oh no. A new console with loads going for it (like the N64) needs loads of advertising so that people know about it (unlike the N64).
Sony brain-washed the gaming public a few years ago, with every other advert seeming to be about the Playstation, and it worked. This time around, it seems as though Sony have employed new staff in the marketing department, as few are impressed with this ‘Third Place’ business. Sony have created a weakness for themselves, and Nintendo intends to exploit this weakness to the max. €100 billion were set aside for launch marketing in Europe alone and it certainly seems to have worked. The money certainly hasn’t been wasted; Gamecube adverts get straight to the point – the games, and that’s all the gamer should be interested in.
So, a good start for Nintendo, definitely, but I’m not going to get too carried away just yet. After all, at this stage in the N64’s life, I would’ve probably been jumping for joy, having just completed Super Mario 64.
A console launch is always hard for the manufacturer, but the time that comes after is even harder – the fight for survival. Watch this space.
Uncle Albert
Nobody can rightfully say the Nintendo 64 was a ‘flop’. Sure, it didn’t perform as well as their previous console and lost them the top stop amongst console developers, but it still sold blummin’ well globally and was supported by plenty of original, entertaining titles that we’ve come to expect from Nintendo.
And now, with the Gamecube as their new gaming baby, how are the big-N performing? Well, in my opinion, they’ve taken all their steps in the right direction. The point of this article is to show the uninformed what Nintendo did wrong with the N64 and how that’s all gonna change with Gamecube. Hey, it’s not very original, but at least it’ll waste a bit of our Summer spare time!
Choosing cartridges again instead of optical discs was a fatal mistake by Nintendo, with the N64. As we all know, cartridges (or carts for short) are expensive to manufacture, hold a lot less data than optical discs (forcing developers to compress audio and video files, reducing quality to a noticeable extent) and therefore deter developers/publishers from making games for it (it’s a huge financial risk).
The Gamecube, however, utilises mini-DVD’s, capable of holding over twice as much data as a CD. This is what developers wanted. This is what publishers wanted. This is how gamers will benefit. Just by using these discs over carts, Nintendo have assured themselves more third-party support, meaning a more regular, consistent flow of games onto the shelves, which is something the N64 never had on it’s side.
Another technical disadvantage of the N64 was how developer-unfriendly it was (according to developers anyway). Of course, you might be wondering how the PS2 is managing to be so successful if it’s such a pig to program for. Well, developers know that the PS2 is the most popular console on the planet; over 25 million people own one. They know their game is almost certain to make them some profit, no matter how good it is. Back in the days of the N64, what’s the point of spending valuable resources on making a half-decent game for the N64, when the developer can release it on the PSone, spend less money making it and almost certainly make more money in the long-run?
On Gamecube, not only has the fact that it’s apparently user-friendly been widely publicised (the top-quality Luigi’s Mansion was developed in under a year), the console is also selling at a fast and consistent rate. Publishers like this. A lot.
As we all know, the one big thing that killed the N64 was the lack of games that were released. Not the lack of quality games, as Nintendo released plenty of those. The lack of games, fullstop. To be fair, the Playstation was home to the worst games going. Despite this, a console with a large range of games to choose from is always going to be a more attractive buy than one that doesn’t even cater for some genres at all.
More and more third-party developers are jumping on the Gamecube bandwagon with each passing day, as they realise the potential of the machine. This point has been signified to the public right from the word go – the largest software line-up at launch EVER. And with franchises such as Resident Evil on the console and popular games series going multi-format (e.g. Turok, Ridge Racer) all the time, the range of Gamecube titles is set to expand at an even greater rate. The most important factor is the games, and Gamecube has absolutely no worries in this department!
Of course, gamers who chose the PSone over the N64 aren’t likely to go running back to Nintendo at the first mention of ‘Gamecube’, oh no. A new console with loads going for it (like the N64) needs loads of advertising so that people know about it (unlike the N64).
Sony brain-washed the gaming public a few years ago, with every other advert seeming to be about the Playstation, and it worked. This time around, it seems as though Sony have employed new staff in the marketing department, as few are impressed with this ‘Third Place’ business. Sony have created a weakness for themselves, and Nintendo intends to exploit this weakness to the max. €100 billion were set aside for launch marketing in Europe alone and it certainly seems to have worked. The money certainly hasn’t been wasted; Gamecube adverts get straight to the point – the games, and that’s all the gamer should be interested in.
So, a good start for Nintendo, definitely, but I’m not going to get too carried away just yet. After all, at this stage in the N64’s life, I would’ve probably been jumping for joy, having just completed Super Mario 64.
A console launch is always hard for the manufacturer, but the time that comes after is even harder – the fight for survival. Watch this space.
Uncle Albert